Philadelphia Woman Awaits Life-Saving Kidney Transplant

Waiting is never an easy thing to do, especially when it comes to waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. Patience is a virtue that 28-year-old Philadelphia native, Aniysha Trice, has a great understanding of.  She’s been waiting for a kidney transplant since she became ill four years ago when she was diagnosed with Lupus Nephritis, a disease that attacks the kidneys.

Aniysha was added to the organ transplant waitlist and began dialysis.  Although she was facing significant health challenges, she was optimistic.  That is, until she was diagnosed with Lymphoma Brain Cancer several years ago.  Because of her diagnosis, she had to be removed from the organ transplant waitlist to focus on her cancer treatment.  At just 25 years old, Aniysha had been through a lifetime worth of health issues.  Today she is cancer free, and begins the wait for a life-saving kidney transplant again.

Gift of Life Donor Program’s National Minority Donor Awareness Week Gospel Program at Mt. Airy Church of God in Christ in Philadelphia Sunday, Aug. 2, 2015. (©2015 Mark Stehle Photography)

“I’m often overwhelmed both emotionally and physically.  It’s difficult to have a life and be on dialysis.  I try to manage it all – work, family, friends, life.  When I found out that I had cancer and would have to wait another five years to be listed for a kidney, it was terrible.  I would cry every night.  I didn’t want to give up my life.” she said.

Aniysha suffers from excessive cramping, a rapid heartbeat and chest pain from dialysis, even though it is a life-sustaining treatment.  She is ready to get back on the transplant waitlist and prays for a life-saving kidney.  She said, “I’m looking forward to living a healthy life, to traveling and to living more.  I want to experience all that life has to offer.”  She wants to see the world and enjoy the simple pleasures in life without worrying.  “My favorite food is mac and cheese, which I can’t really have now.” she said.

Before Aniysha became ill, she had a fun, normal life.  She was active and was a cheerleader and dancer in school.  She was always a dedicated student, earning not only a Bachelor’s Degree, but also a Master’s Degree in Human Services.  Currently, she works with men and women who have substance abuse issues, and helps to give them the tools so that they can live successful lives.

Even for individuals listed on the organ transplant waitlist, they face the frightening prospect every day that they may never receive the transplant that they desperately need.  In the U.S., 22 people die each day while waiting. In Gift of Life’s region – eastern PA, southern NJ and DE – there are more than 5,800 people waiting, and nationally more than 121,000 men, women and children are on the waitlist – 30 percent of whom are African American. The chances for a successful transplant increase significantly when people of the same ethnicity are matched, so it is crucial that donors of all ethnic backgrounds register as organ and tissue donors.  During Black History Month, Gift of Life is promoting the stories of African Americans in the region who are waiting for organ transplants, who were donors or are donor family members, and those whose lives have been saved by organ donation. Through increasing awareness and education, more lives can be saved.

“People need to educate themselves about how important it is to register as an organ and tissue donor.  You can save someone’s life and be a hero to someone like me.  For me, receiving a new kidney would mean everything.  It really is a gift of life.  I could live my life again.” Aniysha said.

Since 1974, Gift of Life has coordinated more than 40,000 organ transplants and an estimated 600,000 tissue transplants. Gift of Life’s service area includes nearly 11 million people, and in 2015 the organization coordinated over 44 organ donors-per-million-population – ranking it among the highest in the world. You can help!  For more information about organ and tissue donation or to register today, visit donors1.org.  It only takes 30 seconds to register.